The History of Braided Rugs

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Braided rugs have graced the halls of American houses for a very long time and have a rich, deep-rooted history.  Many people feel that braided rugs came into origin in the Colonial days, from when settlers first came to America. It was in fact the Native American rug weaving techniques that really started the braided rug design. The Native American weaving technique was used to make heavy saddle blankets for horses as well as ponchos and ceremonial rugs often used in "powwows". Because of these colorful displays, the original settlers found a way to create their own type of braided rugs for their new homes. That is how braided rugs were first created.

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Braided rugs began to pop up in the new American colonies, during the late 1500s to early 1600s. Women settlers made use of the scraps of material left over from sewing projects to create the braided rugs. Strips of wool, cotton and burlap were often the fabrics incorporated into a rug design. There were several ways to create braided rugs. Plaiting the strips of material together was the most popular technique. Once a number of strips were plaited, they were then stitched together to create braided rugs.

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While the men were out farming, hunting and building new structures, the women would tailor new clothes and craft new braided rugs. The women would then pass their rug-making skills down to their daughters, leaving a lasting tradition for others to follow.

These rugs became a staple accessory in the homes of American colonists. Not only were they being used in homes, but braided rugs were also found in churches, city halls, markets and other places. The first and most common braided rugs were in round and oval shapes.  However, these can be in almost any shape or form including squares and rectangles. The rugs were often of mixed fabric content and were sewn together with thread.  Sometime in the 1930’s, an innovation began of “lacing” braided rugs together, and this method is generally used today for putting braids together.

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In the 20th century, braided rugs fell out of popularity, but in the 1970s, there was a resurgence of interest in traditional crafts and techniques, and braided rugs once again became popular. Today, braided rugs are still made by hand, using a variety of materials, including wool, cotton, and synthetic fibers. They are often used as accent rugs, or for decorative purposes, in homes, offices and commercial spaces.

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Braiding is a very old yet versatile technique that has been modernized over recent decades to display its appeal and charm.  The rugs are still made by either hand or factory machines, but these stunningly beautiful and equally versatile home accessories are now used by millions of families throughout the world.

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Braided rugs are also an important part of the tradition of different cultures, and are still made by artisans in countries like Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan.

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Presently, rug braiding is undergoing another resurgence in interest.  There are braiding guilds around the country, and several books on rug braiding have been published in the past 15 years.  There are several conferences that occur every year, and the technique of rug braiding is increasingly used to create fantastic "art" rugs.